ROUND 12 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 14 March 2018

12th round of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel: wins for Yoann Caillot and Emily Harrop

Despite the proximity of the 33rd Pierra Menta, which took off this Wednesday 14 March and in which the 2 leaders of the “Millet”, Axelle Mollaret and Xavier Gachet, distinguished themselves by winning the 1st stage in their respective categories, 97 ski mountaineering enthusiasts were at the rendezvous for this 12th round to climb the 3.2 km of this Vertical Race course with 500 m of elevation gain.

On a spring-like evening when the sun still lit up the surrounding peaks, Yoann Caillot wins in 26min35s ahead of Guillaume Gorak (27min56s) and Nicolas Tauty (28min46s). In the women’s race, Emily Harrop of the ESF Aime 2000, after her 3rd place last Friday in the “Plum”, confirms her current good form. She wins in 30min22s ahead of the regulars Véronique Lathuraz (32min25s) and Stéphanie Pommat (33min38s). In the absence of the elite, the provisional overall standings are unaffected.

This transitional stage was marked by the presence of Philippe Mugnier, Mayor of Courchevel, a loyal supporter of the event who was making his 11th climb. He was accompanied by Nicolas Feidt, Director General of Services of the town hall, who completes his first round of the season in 53min02s. Pascal De Thiersant, Chairman of the Executive Board of the S3V, sets his best of the winter in 35min38s. But the surprise came from Stéphane Pétracin, head of the Courchevel Municipal Police. It was unthinkable that one day he would wear a bib, and in the end he did well with an excellent time of 43min36s, declaring at the finish: “You quickly get into the spirit.”

Grand final next Wednesday with the costumed presence of the current race leaders Xavier Gachet and Axelle Mollaret alongside other members of the French ski mountaineering team and probably international athletes present at the Pierra Menta. In this context, nothing is settled for the final podiums. The fight is likely to be intense to the end, with €8,000 of prize money and €4,800 of vouchers at stake, even if some of them will simply come to unwind before their next objectives by enjoying this exceptional evening.

The grand final of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel 2018 will take place on Wednesday 21 March with Nelson Monfort and the band Emile et Images.

The 13th and final round will be the elite’s last chance to position themselves for the records and the final standings. For this great ski mountaineering celebration, which will bring together about 500 participants and as many spectators, Guillaume Prin, the president of Courchevel Sports Outdoor Montagne et Escalade, and his whole team will pull out all the stops. An aerobatic paragliding demonstration by Eliot Nochez, 2015 World Cup winner, will give the starting signal for this traditional costumed climb, scheduled for 6 pm at Le Praz. Among the participants, a contestant from the next season of Koh-Lanta, which begins on Friday, is expected. Many surprises will enliven the start and finish areas. Spectators can come and cheer on the runners and admire their costumes, making use of the Le Praz gondola, free for the occasion and exceptionally open until 6.30 pm to reach the finish at Courchevel 1850. Extra ski buses are planned to bring down all those who wish to continue the festivities at Le Praz. From 8 pm at the L’Envolée sports hall, the buffet will be open with the prize-giving ceremony led by the famous sports journalist Nelson Monfort. At 9 pm, it is the turn of the band Emile et Images, who will set the evening alight with their hits that will make you sing and dance: Ohé Ohé Capitaine abandonné …, Les démons de minuit, Maitresse oh ma maitresse…, Laissez-nous chanter, Ville de lumière…. A great atmosphere in prospect.